Refine your smile with natural-looking, long-lasting results.

If you’re looking to transform your smile without extensive procedures, porcelain veneers offer an elegant and effective solution. At Breckenridge Dental, we provide high-quality Porcelain Veneers in Summit County, CO, designed to correct chips, stains, small gaps, and minor misalignments—helping you feel confident every time you smile.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. Designed to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment for:

• Stained or discolored teeth
• Small gaps between teeth
• Chipped or cracked enamel
• Misshapen or uneven teeth
• Minor misalignments

They offer a natural, long-lasting improvement without the need for more invasive procedures like crowns or orthodontics.

Schedule a Cosmetic Consultation Today
We’ll help you find out if veneers are right for you.

What Is the Porcelain Veneer Process?

Getting porcelain veneers typically takes a few appointments. Here’s what to expect:

1. Consultation

You’ll discuss your cosmetic goals with your dentist to determine if veneers are the right fit for your needs.

2. Examination & Imaging

Your teeth and gums are examined for health and suitability. X-rays, photos, and impressions are taken to plan the treatment.

3. Tooth Preparation

A small amount of enamel is removed from the tooth’s surface to ensure a flush fit. A final impression and color match are taken.

4. Veneer Fabrication

Your custom veneers are crafted in a dental lab using durable, high-quality porcelain that mimics natural enamel.

5. Final Placement

At your next appointment, the veneers are carefully bonded to your teeth after adjustments for fit, shape, and color.

Are Veneers Right for You?

While porcelain veneers offer a powerful cosmetic transformation, they’re not suitable for everyone. Here’s what to know:

Veneers May Be a Good Fit If You:

• Have generally healthy teeth and gums
• Want to correct minor cosmetic issues
• Can commit to maintaining good oral hygiene

Veneers Might Not Be Ideal If You:

• Grind your teeth (bruxism) or have TMJ issues
• Have severe misalignment needing orthodontics
• Want a fully reversible treatment option

Why Choose Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers offer several benefits over other cosmetic options:

• Natural appearance – semi-translucent like real enamel
• Long-lasting – with proper care, veneers can last 10–15 years
• Stain-resistant – more resistant than natural teeth or composite bonding
• Minimal impact on tooth structure – less invasive than crowns
• Comprehensive improvement – treats multiple aesthetic concerns at once

Why Choose Breckenridge Dental for Porcelain Veneers in Summit County, CO?

Our experienced dental team uses state-of-the-art imaging, precise lab instructions, and expert cosmetic techniques to ensure your veneers look and feel just right. We prioritize your comfort, smile goals, and long-term dental health throughout the process.

Your new smile starts with a personalized consultation.

Book an Appointment Today! Call us at (970) 453-4585 to get started. Our Summit County dentists will help you discover how veneers could be the right choice to restore and enhance your smile.

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Fillings can be used to restore teeth with small to mid-sized cavities as well as minor chips, fractures, and wear. Tooth-colored fillings are a popular choice for restorations because they complement the natural beauty of a smile. Unlike traditional gold or silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend in with tooth enamel to restore decayed or damaged teeth almost invisibly.

While composite resin fillings are the most well-known option, porcelain and glass ionomer fillings are also unobtrusive choices for a dental restoration. The filling you choose will depend, in part, on the filling’s size and location and the kind of filling you need.

• Direct fillings are completed in one appointment. The filling is bonded to the tooth immediately after any decay is removed and the tooth is cleaned and prepped.
• Indirect fillings take one of two forms: an inlay, which covers the surface of a molar inside the cusps, or an onlay, which covers the surface and at least one cusp.

After the tooth is free of decay, cleaned and prepped, an impression is taken of the tooth. The filling is created from this impression, and then bonded to the tooth during a second visit. Indirect fillings might also be used to repair small chips, fractures, and worn teeth.

Common Tooth-colored Restorations

Composite Resin Fillings

Made of acrylic resin mixed with powdered quartz, glass, or other ceramic particles, composite fillings can be used for both direct and indirect fillings. These are the most popular tooth-colored restorations.

• Can be applied to the tooth immediately after preparation
• Can be closely matched in color to tooth enamel
• Harden quickly under a special curing light
• Less expensive than porcelain fillings
• Preserve more tooth structure than metal amalgams
• Durable, but may not be as durable as porcelain or amalgam fillings for chewing surfaces
• Insurance coverage can vary depending on the location of the filling

Porcelain/Ceramic Fillings

These indirect fillings are made of advanced ceramic materials, fabricated using an impression of the prepared tooth for a precise fit.

• Most realistic looking because they are translucent as well as matched for color
• Typically last longer than composite fillings, and less likely to chip or crack
• More stain resistant than composite fillings
• Usually require at least two appointments
• More expensive than composite fillings

Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer is a flexible paste made with silicate glass powder. Commonly used as a sealant or a cement for orthodontic brackets, glass ionomers can also be used in fillings.

• The material bonds directly to the tooth itself
• The glass powder can be formulated with fluoride, which is released over time for added anti-cavity protection
• Resin-modified ionomers are available that harden more quickly
• Don’t always blend as well with natural tooth color
• Less durable than other filling materials, so these fillings are better used in temporary fillings, to fill cavities along the gum line or other non-biting surfaces, or to fill baby teeth.

The size of a cavity, its location, cost considerations—these factors will all affect your choice of filling. Talk to your dentist to discover which tooth-colored option is best to protect the health and enhance the appearance of your smile.

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What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay begins with the Streptococcus mutans bacteria. These bacteria join with food particles and fluids in the mouth to create plaque, a constantly forming biofilm which sticks to the surface of tooth enamel.

The bacteria in plaque convert the sugars in our foods into lactic acid. When plaque remains on the tooth, these acids erode the calcium phosphate minerals which make enamel the hardest substance in the body. This process, called demineralization, creates weak spots in the tooth surface.

Over time, a weak spot will become larger and deeper until a hole, or cavity, forms in the enamel.

Treating Tooth Decay and Cavities

Because tooth enamel isn’t living tissue, it can’t regenerate or grow back. Once bacteria and acids have created a deep enough cavity, only a dentist can repair it by removing the decayed area of the tooth and restoring the tooth’s structure.

Without treatment, a cavity will continue to grow until it erodes the enamel and spreads into the interior of the tooth. Treatment for tooth decay will depend on how far the decay has progressed.

• Demineralization—Early tooth decay

Early signs of demineralization can show up as white spots where minerals have been stripped from the enamel. Demineralization is sometimes reversible with a professional fluoride treatment that remineralizes and strengthens tooth enamel.

• Enamel Decay

For small cavities in the enamel, a filling is generally recommended. The dentist will remove any decay, clean the area, and fill the tooth. Filling options include color-matched composite, silver dental amalgam, and gold fillings.

• Dentin Decay

Dentin lies just below tooth enamel. When decay reaches the dentin, it spreads more quickly because dentin is much softer than enamel. More extensive decay might require a larger filling or a crown.

• Pulp Decay

Left untreated, a cavity can grow until it reaches the living pulp inside the dentin. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves, and, once damaged or infected, will require a root canal procedure and a crown to save the tooth.

• Extraction

When decay is so extensive that a tooth cannot be saved, extraction becomes necessary. A dental implant is often the best choice to replace a lost tooth because it prevents shifting in the remaining teeth and helps maintain jawbone density.

Preventing Tooth Decay

While there are many options for treating cavities, prevention is always best. Working together with your dental team, you can help prevent cavities with healthy dental habits and proactive treatments:

• Regular checkups can catch and treat early tooth decay before a cavity forms.
• Professional cleanings remove tartar and plaque you might have missed.
• Brush at least twice a day, for at least two minutes each time, to clean plaque from tooth surfaces.
• Floss at least once each day to remove plaque between the teeth and along the gum line.
• Use fluoride toothpaste, a proven way to strengthen and remineralize enamel.
• Consider professional fluoride treatments if you have a higher risk of tooth decay.
• Ask your dentist about sealants to protect molars from decay.
• Make sure your tooth-healthy diet is rich in nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D and low in sugars and acids.

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Because our smiles are the way we greet the world, even tiny imperfections in our teeth can cause self-consciousness. If you have a front tooth with an uneven edge, a canine that is too long or pointed, a slight overlap between two teeth, or any other minor cosmetic concern, tooth contouring might be the solution you’re looking for.

During the contouring procedure, a small amount of tooth enamel is removed to refine and reshape an imperfect tooth’s appearance and help it fit in with the surrounding teeth. Precision tooth sculpting can eliminate or markedly reduce small flaws such as:

• Irregular edges
• Minor chips
• Unequal tooth length
• Too-sharp canines
• Worn or flat edges
• Slight overlaps between teeth
• Minor bite problems caused by the teeth touching unevenly

Contouring is typically used to reshape the upper front and canine teeth because these teeth are the most visible. If you are interested in tooth contouring, talk to your dentist about which teeth might benefit, how your enamel can be reshaped, and the changes this will make in the overall appearance and health of your smile.

Once you’ve decided to enhance your smile with contouring, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums. You might need X-rays and/or dental treatment before contouring to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough for the procedure.

The procedure itself generally takes about 30 minutes per tooth. Because only the enamel is involved, anesthesia may not be necessary. Using a laser or a specially equipped drill, your dentist will gently remove a very small amount of enamel to refine the shape of the tooth. After this subtle shaping, the tooth will be polished for a smooth, even finish.

You might feel some vibration during the shaping and polishing process, and temporary tooth sensitivity sometimes occurs afterward.

Besides improving the appearance of your teeth, contouring offers additional benefits:

• Immediate results
• Minimally invasive treatment
• Little discomfort
• Less expensive than other cosmetic options

Tooth contouring is not the answer for every patient. If you have thin enamel, more seriously damaged or irregularly shaped teeth, or require orthodontic treatment, your dentist can provide you with other options to create a beautiful, healthy smile.

But when minor cosmetic flaws make you feel self-conscious about your smile, skilled aesthetic contouring might be exactly what you need. If tiny imperfections in your teeth are having an outsized impact on your confidence, talk to your dentist about tooth contouring.

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Over time, foods, drinks, tobacco, medications, and aging can all lead to yellowing or stained teeth. If you’re feeling self-conscious about your smile, professional teeth whitening in Summit County, CO can help you look and feel your best again.

Whether you’re exploring at-home options or want dramatic results fast, our dental team at Breckenridge Family Dental will guide you toward the most effective solution based on your goals, budget, and oral health.

At-Home Whitening Options

At-home methods can help reduce surface stains, but they may require consistent, long-term use and generally offer more subtle results.

Whitening Toothpastes & Rinses

• Use gentle abrasives and low-strength peroxide to lighten surface stains.
• Best for maintaining results after a professional treatment.
• Requires daily use for several weeks to notice changes.

Whitening Strips

• Thin plastic strips coated with peroxide gel, applied directly to teeth.
• Typically used twice daily for 30 minutes.
• Results can take 1–2 weeks and vary by brand and use.

Over-the-Counter Gel Trays

• One-size-fits-most trays filled with peroxide gel.
• May not fit snugly, increasing the risk of gum irritation.
• Less effective than custom trays due to inconsistent contact with teeth.

Not sure which method is right for you?
Request a consultation and let our experts help you choose the safest, most effective option.

Professional In-Office Whitening TREATMENT

For faster, more noticeable results, in-office whitening treatments offer several key advantages:

• Stronger Whitening Agents – Higher peroxide concentration than OTC products.
• Immediate Results – Brighten your smile in just one 30–90 minute session.
• Safe & Monitored – Your gums and soft tissues are protected during the procedure.
• Lasting Impact – Longer-lasting results with fewer treatments needed.

Light-Activated Whitening

Some office treatments incorporate LED or UV light to activate the gel and speed up results. While the light itself doesn’t whiten, it enhances the whitening power of the peroxide.

Custom Whitening Trays

Prefer whitening at home but want better results than drugstore products We offer custom-fit trays and professional-grade gel for a safe, effective way to whiten your teeth from the comfort of home.

• Tailored Fit – Reduces gum irritation and ensures even gel distribution.
• Gradual Whitening – Typically worn for 1–2 hours a day over 1–2 weeks.
• Ideal for Maintenance – Great for touch-ups after in-office whitening.

When Whitening Isn’t Enough

Whitening treatments can’t correct all types of discoloration. If your teeth are discolored due to trauma, medications, or existing restorations (like crowns, veneers, or bonding), whitening may not be effective. In those cases, cosmetic options like porcelain veneers may be better suited to help you achieve your smile goals.

Call us today at (970)453-4585 or
Schedule your appointment online to discuss the whitening options at Breckenridge Dental in Summit County, CO.

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The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the temporal bones on each side of the skull to the mandible, or lower jawbone. These complex, hinge-like joints allow the mouth to open and close, move back and forth, and slide from side to side. Muscle, bone, and cartilage work together for easy and comfortable facial movement so we can speak, eat, swallow, yawn, and smile.

When the joint doesn’t function as smoothly as it should, the limited movement and discomfort which result could be caused by Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder can develop due to arthritis, bruxism (tooth grinding), genetics, an injury or infection near the jaw, a misaligned bite, or a combination of factors. Sometimes the cause is unclear. TMD could be indicated if you suffer from any of these symptoms:

• Painful chewing
• Persistent pain and discomfort around the TMJ or in the face or neck
• Earaches or ringing in the ears
• Changes in bite alignment
• Muscle spasms near the jaw
• Clicking, popping, or grating noises when the jaw moves
• Jaws that are limited in movement or lock open or shut

If you suspect you might have TMD, your dentist or doctor will conduct a careful examination of your temporomandibular joints, their range of movement, and your head and neck. When needed, imaging studies can be used for further examination of the joint.

TMD Treatments

Often, conservative treatment is effective in treating TMD. Your dentist or doctor will tailor treatment to the cause and symptoms of your TMD:

• Use of over-the-counter pain relievers, ice packs, and moist heat compresses
• Behavior modification for habits which can cause jaw pain (gum chewing, jaw clenching, nail biting, poor posture)
• Techniques for relaxation and stress relief
• Muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, or anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy
• A custom-fitted mouthguard, bite plate, or bite splint to protect teeth and jaw from the pressures of tooth grinding
• Dental treatment to improve minor bite misalignment
• Orthodontic treatment to treat more serious bite misalignment

If necessary, surgical procedures can provide more extensive examinations and treatment. These include:

• Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure performed under anesthesia, which uses a thin tube with a video lens and light inserted through a small incision in front of the ear. This technology allows the surgeon to get a close look at the joint and the area surrounding it. Arthroscopic surgery can repair some types of TMJ damage.
• Arthroplasty: Surgery performed under anesthesia, can repair, replace, or reposition damaged parts of the joint. Arthroplasty can be used to remove bony growths, repair or replace the articular disc that cushions your joint, and access areas that an arthroscopy can’t.

Jaw pain isn’t always due to TMD, and many cases of TMD are temporary. But frequent discomfort, limited movement, or any other persistent symptoms are a good reason to see your dentist or doctor for a thorough examination and diagnosis. Prompt treatment will help prevent further damage to the joint and make facial and jaw movement comfortable once again.

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Is it snoring or sleep apnea?

Snoring occurs when soft tissues in the throat area relax during sleep, partially blocking airways and vibrating with the passage of air. It’s this vibration which causes that distinctive snoring sound. If you’re one of the millions of people who snore, you know how those nocturnal noises can interfere with your peaceful sleep and the sleep of those around you.

Snoring can also be a symptom of sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition. The word “apnea” is derived from the Greek word for “breathless.” When you suffer from sleep apnea, you briefly stop breathing during sleep.

Your body responds by waking every time you need to begin breathing properly again, often causing you to choke or gasp for breath. This cycle can repeat dozens of times per hour. While you may think you’ve slept through the night, you have never gotten the deep sleep your body needs to restore itself mentally and physically.

Types of Sleep Apnea

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea and is caused by an obstructed airway. The throat muscles may relax as you sleep, making it impossible to inhale fully with each breath. Obstruction can also be caused by a physical condition such as a deviated septum, excess throat tissue or enlarged tongue or tonsils. The size and position of your jaw can affect your breathing as well.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles which control breathing. Sleepers with CSA either stop breathing momentarily or take such shallow breaths that they can’t get sufficient air into their lungs.

• Complex Sleep Apnea

Complex sleep apnea combines features of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

While men are more likely to develop this condition, sleep apnea can affect anyone. Factors such as obesity, increasing age, alcohol use, certain medications and drugs, medical conditions, and a family history of sleep apnea can also increase the risk of developing OSA and CSA.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Life

You (or your partner) may suspect sleep apnea if your sleep is interrupted by frequent loud snoring, choking, or snorting sounds, or if you appear to stop breathing or wake up short of breath throughout the night.

Sleep apnea affects your waking life as well. You might feel frequent daytime drowsiness or fatigue. You could have difficulty falling asleep at night or fall asleep involuntarily during the day. You might experience morning headaches or a sore throat or dry mouth when you wake up. Your quality of life can suffer, as insufficient sleep can lead to:

• Moodiness
• Frustration
• Depression
• Decreased libido
• Memory problems
• Inability to focus

If you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, you should seek prompt treatment. Sleep apnea can seriously impact health, and has been linked to an increased risk of:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Dangerous reactions to medications
• Dangerous reaction to general anesthesia
• Accidents and injuries caused by fatigue and slower reaction time

What kind of treatments are available?

Treatments ranging from behavior modification to surgery are tailored to the cause and the severity of your sleep apnea:

• Behavior modification: Losing weight, abstaining from alcohol, changing sleep position, and monitoring medications that affect sleep can be effective in mild cases of OSA.
• Oral appliances: These comfortable, custom-fitted devices can advance the jaw or hold the tongue forward to maximize airway space.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines: For those with moderate to severe sleep apnea, PAP machines provide pressurized air through a tube attached to a mask, delivering a gentle flow of air to keep airways open through the night.
• Surgery: Surgical procedures can remove or reduce the obstructions causing OSA. Medical implants have been successful in treating both OSA and CSA for patients who qualify for these treatments.

If you suspect your snoring is something more than a nightly nuisance, ask your dentist or doctor for a referral to a sleep apnea specialist. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help you enjoy the restorative sleep you need for healthier days and healthier nights.

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When you’re happy with your smile, you’re able to greet the world confidently, both personally and professionally. Concerns about your smile can undermine that confidence. If you’d like to correct imperfections in your smile, cosmetic dentistry can transform your look and your outlook with innovative treatments designed to create the smile you’ve always wanted.

Some of the reasons people are unhappy with their smiles include stained teeth, gaps, irregular gum lines, damaged or missing teeth, and misalignments. Your dentist can help you achieve a healthy, aesthetically pleasing smile with a range of treatment options, including:

• Teeth Whitening

Surface staining can be caused by external factors such as diet, tobacco use, or inadequate oral hygiene. Brighten your smile with a whitening treatment in your dentist’s office. Professional whitening is generally faster, more effective, and longer-lasting than at-home products. If deep stains make whitening treatments impractical, you might consider bonding or veneers.

• Tooth Contouring

Small chips, minor size and shape irregularities, slight overlaps—teeth which need minimal cosmetic restoration can benefit from tooth contouring. Your dentist will remove a small amount of enamel to reshape tooth and then polish it for a smooth, even appearance. Contouring is cost-effective and generally requires no anesthetic, but cannot be used to treat more seriously damaged or misaligned teeth.

• Bonding

In this procedure, composite resin is shaped and bonded to the tooth’s surface to repair minor chips and cracks, cover discolored enamel, close small gaps between teeth, reshape undersized, crooked, or misshapen teeth, and rebuild areas where enamel erosion has taken place. Bonding is convenient, cost-effective, and minimally invasive.

• Veneers

A dental veneer is a thin, translucent, durable porcelain shell which is custom-made to cover the front of a damaged tooth. Like bonding, veneers can restore the appearance of teeth with chips, cracks, and stains, can close small gaps between the teeth, and can reshape misshapen or slightly misaligned teeth.

• Crowns

Crowns cover the entire tooth above the gumline. Porcelain and ceramic crowns look like natural teeth and can be used to restore the appearance of teeth with more serious fractures, cracks, and shape irregularities.

• Implants

Implants are natural-looking and functional replacements for lost teeth. A screw-like post is implanted in the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over several months to act as the tooth’s “root.” Once the post is secure in the jaw, a replacement tooth, usually in the form of a crown, is fixed in place. Implants do more than make your smile complete again; they help prevent the jawbone underneath the lost tooth from shrinking and stop nearby teeth from shifting out of place.

• Crown Lengthening

Also known as a gum lift, this procedure is frequently used to treat a “gummy smile.” When excess gum tissue covers the tooth surface, teeth appear shorter and smaller. During a gum lift, small areas of excess gum tissue are removed to reveal more of the tooth’s structure, making teeth look longer and more proportional.

• Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is another common periodontal procedure. An uneven gum line can make one or more teeth appear misshapen or shorter than the rest, causing a “crooked smile.” Gum contouring aesthetically reshapes the gum tissue for a natural-looking, even gum line.

• Gum Grafts

When gum recession exposes the roots of the teeth, teeth appear longer and the roots are more vulnerable to decay. Gum grafting replaces missing gum tissue with your own or donor tissue to create an attractive, healthy gum line that protects your roots while enhancing your smile.

• Aligners

Clear aligners are a discreet way to treat tooth and bite misalignment. Today’s aligners can treat a variety of orthodontic conditions, and are inconspicuous, efficient, and convenient. Your dentist can let you know if aligners will work for you.

Don’t let cosmetic imperfections make you hesitant to share your smile with the world. Talk to your dentist to discover how cosmetic dentistry can enable you to realize your goal of a beautiful, healthy, and confident smile.

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While you’re living your active life, be sure to protect your smile. A mouthguard is essential safety gear whenever you participate in any sport or activity that could lead to dental trauma.

Oral and dental injuries are very common for athletes, and often these injuries can be prevented or reduced with a mouthguard. Mouthguards are designed to absorb and distribute the force of impact on teeth, jaw joints, and jaws. Mouthguards help prevent cuts and lacerations to the gums, lips, inner cheeks, and tongue.

That’s why the American Dental Association recommends wearing a mouthguard for, among other activities, baseball, basketball, boxing, cycling, hockey, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, track and field, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, soccer, softball, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.

In fact, if you participate in any sport or activity with the potential for collision with hard surfaces, equipment, or other bodies, you should wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard is doubly effective if you wear braces, because in case of impact it protects your braces and also shields the inside of your mouth from contact with brackets and wires.

Choose a mouthguard that provides effective protection, fits comfortably, and allows you to breathe and speak easily. There are three common options available:

• Stock

Stock appliances can be found at sporting goods stores and drugstores. These are the most affordable option, but, because they are pre-formed, with a narrow range of sizes, they may not give you an ideal fit.

• Boil-and-Bite

This type of over-the-counter mouthguard generally provides a better fit than a stock guard can. The guard is heated first to soften it, and then, after cooling, the user bites down and molds the mouthguard to the teeth and mouth.

• Custom

Your dentist can create a mouthguard specifically for you. While they are more expensive, custom mouthguards are the most effective, durable, and comfortable guards available. With less overall thickness and a precise fit, a dentist-fabricated guard makes both talking and breathing easier while you’re exercising.

Caring for Your Mouthguard

A mouthguard can’t protect you unless it’s worn consistently, and it won’t protect you effectively unless it’s cared for properly.

• Keep Your Mouthguard Clean

If you don’t clean your mouthguard as recommended, plaque, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other organisms can collect on your guard and in your case, especially when the guard is put away damp. Keep your mouthguard clean, healthy, and odor-free by rinsing it after use and brushing daily with a soft toothbrush. Let it dry before returning your guard to a clean, dry case. Ask your dentist about cleaning tips for your specific mouthguard.

• Protect Your Mouthguard

When your mouthguard isn’t in your mouth, it should be in its case. Sharp edges on cracked or broken guards can damage soft tissues. Don’t chew your guard because this can break it. Be careful where you leave your mouthguard because hot water, hot surfaces, and sunlight can warp it.

• Replace Your Mouthguard as Needed

A mouthguard which doesn’t fit properly doesn’t protect properly. If your mouthguard is showing signs of wear, it’s probably time to replace it. If your mouthguard is broken or warped, don’t try to trim or repair it yourself. Your dentist can tell you if your guard is working effectively or needs repair or replacement.

Your smile deserves the best protection you can provide. Talk to your dentist about how a mouthguard can help you enjoy your active life to the fullest.

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Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations used to repair molars and premolars damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays and onlays fit more securely and last longer than fillings, strengthen compromised teeth, and preserve more natural tooth structure than crowns.

An inlay is used to restore the center of the tooth inside the cusps. Cavities, small cracks and fractures, and other damage are treated with an inlay when a large filling would weaken the structure of the tooth.

An onlay typically covers the center of the tooth and one or more cusps. An onlay prevents further cusp and tooth damage when a cusp is cracked, broken, or decayed. Because an onlay is placed only on the damaged part of the tooth, it is a less extensive procedure than a crown and preserves more of the natural tooth.

Direct restorations like dental fillings can be completed in a single appointment. Indirect restorations require at least two appointments, because the inlay or onlay is fabricated outside the office.

• At the first appointment, the area is numbed, and the tooth treated for decay or injury. The tooth is then cleaned and shaped for the restoration.
• An impression is taken of the tooth.
• The tooth is given a temporary inlay or onlay to seal and protect it.
• The impression is sent to a lab. Using this model, a restoration is carefully fabricated to fit the exact dimensions of the tooth.
• Once the fabrication is complete, the temporary filling is removed, the permanent inlay or onlay is positioned for an ideal fit, and the restoration is bonded to the tooth surface.

In the past, gold was used for both inlays and onlays. Today, there are several options available to suit different aesthetic concerns and price points.

• Gold restorations are fabricated from gold alloyed with other metals. While they are the most durable option, they are more expensive, and they can be conspicuous.
• Ceramic and porcelain restorations are tinted to blend with tooth enamel and are both durable and stain resistant. They are roughly similar in cost to gold restorations.
• Composite restorations are the most cost-effective option and are also tinted to match the tooth’s natural color. They aren’t as stain resistant as ceramic and porcelain and are slightly less malleable than other options.

When a tooth is too damaged for a filling, but doesn’t need the complete coverage a crown provides, an inlay or an onlay can be the ideal restoration. Talk to your dentist to discover the best option to restore both the appearance and the function of your injured tooth.

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